Support for the head while sleeping or resting in a sitting position



SUPPORT FOR THE HEAD WHILE SLEEPING OR RESTING IN ASITTING POSITION May 7, 1935- c-s. L. MOCLELLAN 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 8, 1934 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY. I

y 1935- G. 1.. M CLELLAN 2,000,344

SUPPQRT FOR THE HEAD WHILE S LEE PING 6R RESTING IN A SITTING POSITION Filed Jan. 8, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ill/ I/l/l/l/ld H ATTORNEY.

ably supporting the Patented May 7, 1935 UNITED STATES sorron'r FOR THE HEAD'WEILE SLEEPING OR RESTING IN A SITTING POSITION Garriott Lloyd McClellan, Cincinnati, Ohio Application January 8, 1934, Serial No. 105,748 4 Claims. (01. -175) My invention relates to means for supporting the head for sleeping in a sitting position.

The object of my invention is to provide simple, efficient and convenient means for comforthead for sleeping in a sitting position and also for supporting the trapezius muscles while driving an automobile.

' The trapezius muscles in the back of the neck hold the head up and pull it from. side to side, but at times, and particularly when sleeping, these muscles relax and let the head drop down or sidewise suddenly, putting a strain on the nerves and causing much discomfort to the sleeper. In oflices, automobiles and many otherplaces, if a person desires to sleep, he must do so in an uncomfortable sitting posture, supporting his head in an unnatural position upon his hands, or a desk, or otherwise. If a person attempts to sleep while sitting upright without any head support, when the trapezius muscles relax the head drops forward or sidewise suddenly, thereby causing shock to the nervous system and producing an unpleasant and uncomfortable sensation to possess the sleeper. Persons who work in offices or take long automobile trips, or for some reason require to sit while sleeping, can, by the use of my invention, sleep comfortably while sitting, it merely being necessary to adjust my head support in proper position, sit erect or back in the chair, lean the head slightly forward or sidewise, fold the arms and then enjoy refreshing, restful and recuperating sleep. My head support provides simple, efficient, and convenient means for enjoying a nap anywhere, at any time, as may be desired by the individual. The use of my support will prevent continuous nodding. The support may also be used to advantage by a driver especially in driving over rough roads, as it will support his chin and jaws in comfortable position while driving, as it supports the head in proper position and permits the most perfect relaxation of the muscles, thus making driving more pleasurable. Any person riding'in an automobile, whether driving or not, can take the strain off the neck muscles by the use of my head support. The user, can lean the head forward or sidewise and not have that broken-neck feeling when he awakes. Wearing it also while riding and not sleeping takes that tiresome strain off the neckmuscles caused by continuous nodding.

My invention consists in providing a metallic collar having a hinged section adapted for conveniently mounting it in position upon the person for use; in a flaring flange, together with proper support and shape for receiving a flexible pad,

preferably of soft rubber; in adjustable supports adapted to properly position the collar for comfortable use when sleeping in a sitting posture; and my-invention further consists in the construction, combination, location and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction as herein set forth and claimed.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 .is a plan view in partial line l--| of'Fig. 2; a

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the collar and supporting pads; 7

- Fig. 3 is a side elevation in partial section on the 7 line l-l of Fig.2;

section on the Fig. 4 is a section of the supporting pad on 15 the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an isometric view of a lugged' end of an adjusting link;

Fig. 6 is an isometric view of the rubber-lined collar with supporting pads in a general position;. Fig. '7 is a section of the hinged segment on the line 'I-'I of Fig. 6 showing the metallic backing and rubber lining; j

Fig. 8 is asection of the forward part of the collar on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6 showing the flare 25 of the metal collar and rubberpad which gives a comfortable contact with the chin; and

Fig. 9 is a sketch showing the collar applied to a mans neck. r g

In the embodiment of my invention as'illustrated and which shows a preferred construction I provide a head support I comprising a metal collar 2 having a rear segment 3 and a front'segment secured thereto by hinge 3, said rear segment being provided with a spring latch 4 adapted to automatically engage recess 5 in the front segment when said rear segment is brought into closed position. I This holds the collar in position on the .neck. Said spring latch is formed U-shaped near its free end and has a hold 6 projecting therefromby which it may be conveniently disengaged by the hand when it is def sired to open saidrear segment for the purpose of placing said collar upon the neck or removing it therefrom, the dotted lines or phantom view in Fig. 6 showing said segment in partial open position. The front portion of said metal collar '2 is provided with an upwardly and outwardly extending or flaring flange 1. The interior of slip-over. A clean slip-over can be readily substituted for a soiled one whenever needed.

The metal collar is provided upon each side with a metal bracket having a projecting internally threaded lug l2 and having laterally extending longitudinally slotted arms l2 adapted to receive screws l4 and I5 respectively into metal collar 2, whereby said bracket may be attached to the collar in various adjusted positions. An L-shaped screw bolt I8 is adapted to be screwed into said internally threaded lug I2 and secured in vertically adjusted fixed position by lock nuts I! and I2. The lower end of each L-shaped screw bolt has one side oifset and knurled or embossed as shown by Fig. 5 and is provided with a screw threaded opening I! therethrough.

Link 2| is provided with a knurled or embossed ofiset end- 20' adapted to engage the knurled orembossed oflset end It of screw bolt l6 and be pivotally and adjustably attached thereto by-screw 2|. The'other end of link 20. is provided with vertical oflset ear -2ll" having one side knurled or embossed and adapted to engage a'similar knurled or embossed vertical offset ear 22 having threaded opening 22' therethrough, and said knurled parts are adjustably and pivotally secured together by screw 22. Ear

.22 is fixedly attached to the upper side of metallic base plate 24 which is embedded in undercut recess of soft rubber pad 28.

The front of the metal collar 2 is provided with tapped socket 21 adapted to receive screw bolt 22 and secured in fixed position by lock nut 22'. Said screw bolt 28 is provided with tapped ofl'set ear 29 on its lower end one side of which tapped end is knurled or embosed to adjustably engage a like embossed end 20 of link 2|, and said screw bolt and link are pivotally connected -by screw 20. The other end of link 2| is provided with embossed or knurled oflset ear 22 having an opening therethrough. Said offset ear is adapted to engage a similar offset car 22 on lug 24 attached to metallic base plate 25 embedded in an undercut recess in soft rubber pad 21. Said offset ears 22 and 22 are pivotally and adjustably attached together by screw 22. The contact surface of'each ear is embossed to increase friction and prevent slipping at the adjustment joints. The bolts and links herein described and shown constitute legs, and pads 26 and 21 form feet.

It will thus be seen that the. front and side supporting legs and pads are adapted to be adjusted to varying positions so that the pads will rest upon-the breast and shoulders respectively to support the collar in proper vertical position relative to the chin and neck of the user in order to properly support his chin and neck in comfortable position for sleeping or resting.

Adjustment of the soft rubber shoulder pads 22 may be made vertically by screwing L-shaped screw bolts l6 up or down in brackets II and locked in adjusted position by the lock nuts I! and IS. The horizontal adjustment is made by setting the links 20 at any desired angle and locking them in position by screws 2|. A further horizontal adjustment may be made by setting screw bolts l6 at the desired angle before looking with lock nuts l1 and Ill. The pads may also be rocked about ends of the links 20 to make full contact with the shoulders and locked in position by screws 22. Brackets may be adjusted by tilting them to any desired position and then securing them in fixed position by screws I4 and II. The front pad 21 may be adjusted to a comfortable position on the breast bone by screwing screw bolt 28 up or down in tapped socket 22.

Further adjustment may be made by swinging.

link 2| around end of screw bolt 22 and locking by screw 22'. Each pad 26 may be rockedon end of links 2| respectively and held in comfortable position by a screw 22. 1

Thus the support is provided with adjustments to comfortably fit the shoulders and breast bone. Every adjustment is easily arranged to suit the individual user. After setting .them to proper comfortable position, tighten the nuts and screws and it is ready for use.

I prefer to construct the metal collar ofaluminum padded with soft rubber of sufficient weight to be comfortably light and yet strong and sturdy. g

My invention is capable of considerable modification without material departure from its scope or spirit as defined in the claims.

- What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A support for the head of a person while sleeping or resting in a sitting position comprising a collar including two segments hinged at their adjacent ends to each other, means for d8,

tachably connecting said segments at their other ends whereby said collar can be opened by the wearer for placing it upon or removing it from his neck. the front and side portions of said collar having an upwardly and outwardly flaring flange, padding inside the collar and flame, and adjustable less and feet attached to said collar to support it in proper position upon the wearer.

2. A support for the head of a person while sleeping or resting in a sitting position comprising a collar having means whereby it may be adapted to support and rest the wearer's chin, Jaws and trapezius muscles, a bracket adjustably mounted on each side of said collar, each bracket having an internally threaded lug, an angular" screw bolt adiustably mounted in each of said brackets, a link pivotally and adjustably connected to each of said screw bolts, and I. pad pivotally connected to each of said link), said collar having athreaded socket in its front, a screw bolt adjustably mounted in said socket, a link pivotally and adjustably connected to saidscrew bolt, and a pad pivotally connected to said link whereby said collar may be readily and comfortably adjusted to proper position upon the shoulders and breast of the wearer.

3. A support for the head of a person while sleeping or resting in a sitting position comprising a metal collar including two segments hinged at one of their ends and latching means at their other ends whereby said collar may be opened and closed by the wearer, a plurality of spacedapart supporting pads, and vertically adjustable means attached to said pads and to said collar for properly positioning and supporting said collar.

4. A support for the head of a person while sleeping or resting in a sitting position comprising a collar including two segments hinged together, means connected to said segments whereby they may be latched and unlatched by the wearer, a plurality of supporting pads, and adjustable means connected to said collar and to said pads for properly positioning the collar. relative to the chin, jaws and trapezius muscles of the wearer, and said pads relative to his shoul- 

